Becka77

So I am now officially 8 months post-op and today I took my first "after" photo. I was very proud of the outfit and shoes I wore to work today - definitely something I've never worn in my life. I thought I would share with all of you. The first one was taken the day I came home from the hospital after having surgery. The second is 8 months post-op. I am so happy I made this decision and life change!

I never dreamed I would say this, but I am dreading the fact that I have to go shopping this weekend. I am so nervous. I do NOT get on the scale. I only weigh when I go to the doctor for my check ups. I have put off shopping except for a couple of shirts here or there, but this weekend I have to do the dreaded.....I have to buy jeans. I have put it off and put it off, but I can't any longer. My jeans I have from pre surgery look horrible. I have lost 40+ pounds and a lot of inches. I was in a size 20/22 before surgery. I am going to start with 18's when I begin trying them on. I have bought 1 pair of 18 capris and they are super baggy now. If I can get in a 16...y'all will hear me screaming from Talladega Alabama. I have worked my butt off so I know if I do get into a 16 if it well deserved. I run/walk everyday...rain or shine and I do strength training as well. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I hope everyone is doing well and having much success.

First postop visit. Can't say I've lost a whole lot, but 29 pounds total including my preop prep. Swelling is starting to go down and I'm back to shakes. They taste extra good for some reason. Haha. No real hunger feelings, and food hasn't bothered me hardly at all. Hope everyone is doing well. I can't wait to see everyone's before sand after pics next year. Not to wish a year away, just pounds.

Independence day will mean more to me than just fireworks. I celebrated my personal Independence, hence the name rebirth7414. I had my surgery in Tijuana Mexico on July 4th. I was so nervous about going out of the country. It turned out to be a wonderful experience. I'm a week out today and still on liquids. I went in grocery store yesterday to get some things first time I ever walked through and didn't have a desire for stuff of course bad stuff. I bought frozen fruit to make smoothies. I am ready to start working out but I know my body isn't. My stomach is still sore swelling is going down. In a few months I will be looking at a new person in the mirror. I cant wait to meet her!

I'll be honest - I had similar thoughts pre-surgery. And, I failed at so many diets that I wondered "will I fail at this, too?"
First, I wasn't prepared for the emotional / mental part of this process. I read and researched so much about the physical part - how the surgery is performed. I didn't think much about the reasons I got to 256 pounds - I didn't think about my binge eating, my eating in secret, emotional eating, etc. I wish I had been more mentally/emotionally prepared - it would have made things easier in the beginning. Instead, I had to address my emotional issues while I was learning how to eat with my new tiny tummy.
Second, the sleeve doesn't stop you from making bad decisions. I have a sleeve of steel...The only thing that bothers my stomach to the point of getting sick is my bariatric Vitamins. I haven't found a food that my stomach doesn't like. That's a double edged sword. I can eat anything - that's not necessarily a good thing for an overeater. So, I have to CHOOSE to make good food decisions. I can eat ice cream before I go to bed...I have to choose not to do that. I can eat a bag of tortilla chips because that's a slider food for me - I have to choose to not have them in my house. The sleeve will only stop you from eating copious amounts of food in one sitting. It doesn't stop you from going back to the bag of chips 30 minutes later when you can fit more into your sleeve. The sleeve is simply one tool in your tool box.
Thirdly, the sleeve doesn't drive you to the gym or make you put on your tennis shoes to go for a walk. That's you. You are responsible for that.
As far as being able to lose 2-3 pounds a week - you're right. I could lose 2-3 pounds per week up to about 20-30 pounds. Then the weight loss would stop and I'd fall off the wagon. What you're doing on the pre-op diet and immediately after surgery isn't sustainable for the long-term. My husband said it best right before surgery...."This is going to force your hand." It has. My weight loss at 7 months out is moving at a snail's pace...I log 80-100 miles in a month at the gym and I focus on getting my Protein in. I get discouraged because I'm not losing at the same rate I was 5 months ago, but I'm still fighting the good fight - and you know what? It's easier to fight knowing I have this tool in my tool box.

July 16th is my day!